Leading UK gambling support charity GamCare has paid tribute to GambleAware, calling its planned closure a “defining transition point for the sector.”
The statement comes after GambleAware announced it will cease operations on March 31, 2026, as its traditional role of commissioning research, prevention, and treatment services for gambling harm transitions to the UK Government under a new statutory levy system.
For years, GamCare has been a primary beneficiary of funding from GambleAware as a key partner in the National Gambling Support Network.
With the introduction of the new statutory research, education, and treatment (RET) levy, the future funding landscape for charities in the sector is set to change significantly.
While GambleAware has been allocated up to £11 million in a one-off arrangement to manage its transition period, there is currently uncertainty as to which specific organizations will receive funding directly from the government under the new model.
In its response and in light of the closure, GamCare thanked GambleAware for its “dedication and commitment over many years” in the fight against gambling-related harm.
The charity now faces the urgent task of securing its own future to ensure the continuity of its vital services, including the operation of the UK’s national gambling support helpline.
GamCare has announced it will seek immediate meetings with key stakeholders, including NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and relevant bodies in Scotland and Wales.
The primary goal is to understand what the transition will mean for its operations and, most importantly, for the thousands of at-risk individuals it supports annually.
The charity has expressed its hope to continue working closely with the new government commissioners to maintain its critical support network.
